Mechanical time-fuse for explosive projectiles.



' PATENTE) 00T. 1a, 1904.

J. F. MEIGS & E. A. GATHMANN. MECHANICAL TIME FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PROJEGTILBS.

APPLICATION ILED MAY 21, 1904.

No MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

vzw u PATENTED 00T. 1a, v1904.

J. E'. MEIGS 6v E. A. GATHMANN. MECHANICAL TIME FUSE FOR BXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES.

A APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

N0 MODEL.

y u Q9 f/WMM- @00% UNITED STATES Patented october` 1s, 1904.

PATENT OEETCE.

JOHN F. MEIGS AND EMIL A. GATHMANN, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENN- SYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANICAL TIME-FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 72,470, dated October 18, 1904. Y

Application filed May 21, 1904. Serial No. 209,039. (No model.)

To fir/ZZ 1071/0731, it 711,003/ concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. MEIGs and EMIL A. GATHMANN, citizens of the United States,residing at South Bethlehem,county of Northampton, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Time-Fuses for Explosive Projectiles; and'we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description IO of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to mechanical timefuses for explosive projectiles, and has for its I5 object to provide a fuse having a positivelyacting tiring-pin normally restrained by a sear or detent, a dome, and an adjustable rider on the fuse-base, the rider servingto restrain the sear until the rider and base are brought into 2O predetermined rotary adjustment to permit the sear to register with an orifice in said rider, means for producing' a .relatively differential rotary motion of the dome and rider with respect to the base, and means controlled by the ight of the projectile to permit the relative rotation of the dome and rider on the base, together with removable means on the rider to prevent the accidental release of the scar.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe complete fuse. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a corresponding section on line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of head for controlling the rotation of the escapement-worm. Fig. 6 is a corresponding halt` plan view of Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 and 8 are views corresponding to Figs. 5 and 6, showing another modification of the head which serves to hold the escapementworm stationary. Figs. 9 and 10 are additional modifications,illustrating heads provided with means for producingapositiverotation thereof` and oi' the escapement-worm during the flight of the shell.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the stock or base oi' the fuse, which is adapted to be secured to the projectile by means of suitable screw-threads 1 on the stem 2, which engage with similar threads on the forward end of the projectile. Said base is provided with the longitudinal chamber or recess 3, preferably running axially of the base and stem, which constitutes a chamber for the firing-pin F. The firing-pin F consists of a head 4 and a stem 5 secured thereto, the head and stem having a longitudinal chamber 6, which carries the firing charge 7, and the head 4 having a recess 8, which carries a percussioncap 9, said recess communicating with the chamber 6 by a vent-hole l0. At the forward end of the recess 3 is secured an anvil P yby means of suitable screw-threads, said anvil having on its end toward the firing-pin chamber 3 a nipple 26, which is in alinement with the center of the percussion-cap 9. The base is provided approximately midway of its length with a iiange, which is adapted to receive the lower peripheral edge of a hollow dome B, which is adapted to rotate on the base. but which is held from longitudinal movement thereon by means of an annular rider O, which surroundsv the dome and base and in turn iinds a bearing upon a fiange about the lower end oi' the base. The rider, which likewise has a rotary movement on the base, is prevented from moving longitudinally thereof by means of suitable screws or pins R R, which are tapped into the rider at 14 14 and project into an annular slot 16 in the base. The upper interior wall of the rider is provided with an inwardly-projecting flange l2, which engages with an outwardly-projecting flange or rim on the outer surface of the dome B, whereby the dome is likewise held from longitudinal motion with respect to the base, but is free to rotate thereon and also to have an independent rotary motion with respect to the rider.

A volute mainspring D, mounted in an annular recess in the exterior periphery of the base, is secured at one end to the base and at the other to the dome by screws U and T, rcspectively, which are tapped into the base and dome. Said spring D, which is normally in tension, tends to revolve the dome on the base. rlhe rider C is free to revolve on the dome B in the direction taken in screwing up the mainspring D, but is prevented from moving in the opposite direction by one or more pawls Q Q, each having an angular end or bent portion 17 set in a hole 18 in the dome and having its fre-e end 19, engaging' ratchet-teeth 20, cut in an annular groove on the interior surface of the rider C. The forward end of the base A is provided with a recess 21, extending radially inward somewhat beyond the axis of the base and opening out from the top thereof, into which recess is set a lockingworm J, preferably formed as a single thread about a central hub, a worm-wheel L, and a washer I, all of which are carried upon a transverse shaft O, which is held in the base A by means of screw-threads on `the shaft end engaging corresponding threads 23 in the base. The washer I, the locking-worm J, and the worm-wheelLare preferably secured together by transverse pins M M, said parts being made separate for convenience in manufacture; but of course it is to be understood that the several parts may be formed as an integral structure.

Engaging with the thread or teeth of locking-worm J are gear-teeth 36, which are cut on the inside of the dome B. The worm-wheel L engages an escapement-worm K, mounted upon and preferably formed integral with the worm-shaft 24, which is jourualed in the upper portion of the dome and the top of the anvil P. In the head of the worm-shaft 2-1 is an angular recess 25, which receives the corresponding angular pin 26 of the escapementvane N, the connection between the` pin and the recess being such that the shaft and pin when assembled cannot rotate independently of each other.

In the base A there is also provided a chamber 2T, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base and is threaded at its outside end to receive a guide-nut W and has a small hole 28, which runs into the firingchamber 3. Mounted for longitudinal movement in the chamber 27 and su pported in axial alinement therein by the Vguide-nut f and a collar 30 is a scar or detent V, the inner end 29 of which normally protrudcs into the firingchamber 3, being held in its normal position by a safety-spring H, which surrounds the body of the sear and is confined between the guide-nut V and the collar 30. The outer end of the scar projects through the central orifice in the guide-nut in proximity to the interior wall of the rider C, said outer end of the scar lying slightly inside the interior face 33 of the said rider. 1n the rider C and in line with the center of the soar V is an orifice, preferably in the form of a tapped hole 34, into which is screwed a safety-plug S, provided with a knurled head 35.

r1`he firing-pin F is held normally against the end 29 of the sear V by aspring Gr, which is held in compressed position between the head 4 of the firing-pin and the bottom plug E, which is screwed into the base A.

On the outside of the rider C are scored or otherwise suitably marked the usual sealemarks, separating the circumference into equal spaces, which are adapted to be brought successively into registry with a suitable mark or score on the base by the rotation of the rider to determine the exact time when the shell shall be exploded.

The fuse operates as follows. lt is to be observed that the action of the mainspring B tends at all time to rotate the dome on thc Abase in a direction opposite to that in which the spring is wound and also that the dome is locked against rotation on the base by the engagement of teeth 36 on the dome with the locking-worm J, and, further. by the engagement of the worm-Wheel L and the escapementworm K, so that the dome cannot rotate on the base until it is released by the revolution of the worm-wheel L. 1n the form of the invention shown this revolution of the wormwheel is effected by the vane N, which is held from turning while the projectile is in flight by the pressure of the atmosphere, so that the vane and worm are held stationary while the projectile and fuse are rotating as the effect of their propulsion through the rified gun, thereby producing a relative motion between the eseapement-worm K and the base A and revolving' the worm-wheel L, which carries with it the locking-worm J, the revolution of the latter allowing the dome B, actuated by the tension of the mainspring D, to rotate about the base. As described, the rider C is free to rotate on the base A in either direction, but is held from turning on the dome B by the pawls Q Q except in the direction taken in winding the mainspring D, so that when the dome is rotated under the unwinding action of the spring the rider is carried with it. The setting or adjustment of' the fuse consists in turning the rider on the dome in the direction above noted, so that the orifice 34, which is normally closed by the safetyplug S, is brought into such position that at the required time by the rotation of the rider, due to the revolution of the projectile, it registers with the outer end of the scar V. The revolution of the projectile and its flight tends to throw the scar V outwardly by centrifugal action, and this movement of the scar is restrained by the engagement of the sear with the inner wall of the rider C. With the safetyplug S removed from the orifice 34, as would be done at the time of firing, and the projectile in flight the relative differential rotation of the dome and the rider with respect to the base will bring the orifice 34 opposite the end of the scar, in which event the latter, being unimpeded, will be thrown outward, thereby re- IOO IIO

leasing the firing-pin F, which'will be thrown forward by its propelling-spring G until the percussion-cap 9 strikes and is fired by the nipple 26 to ignite the firing charge 7. The safety-spring H is designed to hold the sear V normally in engagement With the firingpin, so as to prevent the latter from moving forward under the action of its spring G, and said spring H is of such strength that while it will not materially impede the sear. from moving outward under centrifugal force when the projectile is rotating in its flight it is yet suflciently strong to prevent the sear from being accidentally displaced when the vprojectile is being handled.

While we have shown and described the particular form of escapement-vaneN for control-ling the rotation of the dome and rider with respect to the base, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular form of controlling means, and it is our purpose and intention to employ other means or apparatus to'attain the desired end, and examples of' such means or apparatus are illustrated in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive.V It is to be noted in this connection that it is only necessary to impart to the dome B and rider C a relatively differential rotary movementwith respect to the base, and to accomplish this a head is provided of such form as to be appropriately aected by atmospheric pressure during the flight of the projectile to produce relative rotation of' the escapement-worm with respect to the base, thereby permitting the dome and the rider to rotate on the base. The vane N of course constitutes such ahead, and in this case the relative motion is produced by holding said escapement-worm stationary as the shell rotates. The vane being of relatively light construction is, however, liable to injury in the handling and storage of the fuse, and in order to avoid this difficulty we propose vunder certain circumstances to substitute for the vane a cap of more substantial construction that is not liable to injury or derangemnt and that when properly applied will still produce the different relative rotary speeds between the working parts of the fuse. AFor example, in Figs. 5 and 6 we employ a conical cap N', which is rigidly secured to the escapement-worm K and overlies the top of the dome, said cap being provided with wings projecting laterally from the cone-like surface thereof, which serve to hold the cap and thev escapement-worm stationary when the projectile is in iight. In Figs. 7 and 8 a similar conical cap N2 is provided, which only differs from cap Nl in the formation of the ribs'or vanes, which in this case also prevent the rotation of the cap and shaft of the escapement-worm K. In Fig. 9 the conical ca'p'N3 is designed to be rotated by the flight of' the shell, and in this case'the exterior of the cap is provided with left-handed helical ribs on its surface, which serve to rotate the cap to the right irrespective of' the rotary direction of the projectile. In Fig. 10 a similar arrangement of cap N4 is shown,

differing only from the latter in the arrangeing held in locking position until the sections assume a predetermined relation, and removable means carried by one of said sections for preventing the operation of said detent.

` 2. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising sections having differential rotary motions, a power-impelled firing-pin, a detent normally restraining said pin,.said detent being held in locking position until the sections assume a predetermined relation, and a removable plug carried by one of said sections for preventing the operation of said detent.

3. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising adjustable sections having differential rotary motions, a power-impelled firing-pin, a detent normally restraining said pin, one of said sections having an orifice to permit said pin to operate when said sections assume a predetermined relation, and a removable plug stopping said orifice to prevent comprising a base, a dome mounted on said base, an adjustable rider engaging the base and dome, a power-impelled iiring-pin in said base, a detent normally restraining said pin, means for imparting relatively differential rotary motions to the base and the dome and rider, the rider having an orifice which is brought into registry with said detent to permit the latter to release the firing-pin, and a removable plug stopping said orifice to vprevent theV operation of' said detent.

5. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, `a dome mounted thereon, an adjustable rider engaging the base and dome, a power-impelled firing-pin in said base, a detent normally restraining said pin and normally restrained by said rider, the rider having an orifice to permit the detent to operate when the base and rider assume a predetermined relation, and means for imparting relative differential rotary motions to the base and dome during the flight ofthe projectile.

6. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, a dome mounted thereon, an adjustable rider engaging the base and dome, a power-impelled firing-pin in said base, a detent normally restraining said pin and normally restrained by said rider, the rider hav- IOO IIO

ing an orifice to permit the detent to operate when the movement of the rider brings the said orifice .into registry with said detent,gear ing connecting the base and dome and normally locking them against relative movement, and means operable d uring the flight of the projectile to impart a differential rotation to the dome and rider with respect to the base.

7. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, a dome mounted thereon, an adjustable rider engaging the base and dome, a power-impelled firing-pin in said base, a detent normally restraining said pin and normally restrained by said rider, the rider having an orifice to permit the detent to operate when the movement of the rider brings the said orifice into registry with said detent, a spring for imparting rotary motion to the dome on the base, locking-gearing connecting the base and dome, and means operable when the projectile is in flight to actuate the locking-gearing and permit the spring to rotate the dome and rider at a speed differential with respect to that of the base.

8. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, a dome mounted thereon, an adjustable rider engaging' the base and dome, a power-impelled firing-pin in said base, a detent normally restraining' said pin and normally restrained by said rider, the rider having an orifice to permit the detent to operate when the movement of the rider brings the said orifice into registry with said detent, a spring for imparting rotary motion to the dome on the base, locking-gearing connecting the base and dome, escapement-worm gearing controlling the locking-gearing, and a head on the dome connected to said Wormgearing to permit relative differential rotation of the dome and rider with respect to the base while the projectile is in fiight.

9. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, ademe mounted thereon, an adjustable rider engaging the base and dome, a power-impelled firing-pin in said base, a detent normally restraining said pin and normally restrained by said rider, the rider having an orifice to permit the detent to operate when the movement of the rider brings the said orifice into registry with said detent, a spring for imparting rotary motion to the dome on the base, locking-gearing connecting the base and dome, a worm-shaft journaled in the dome and base, a worm-Wheel connecting the locking-gear to the Worm-shaft, and a head on the worm-shaft to produce relative differential rotation ofthe dome and rider with respect to the base, while the projectile is in Hight.

l0. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, a dome mounted thereon, an annular adjustable rider engaging the base and the dome, a mainspring connecting the dome and the base, pawl-and-ratchet connections between the dome and rider, a springimpelled firing-pin in said base, a scar engaging said pin and normally restrained by said rider, the rider having an orifice adapted to move into registry with said sear to permit the same to release the firing-pin, a locking-worm in said base, a gear-rim in said dome engaging said locking-worm, an escapement-worm journaled in said base and dome and controlling the locking-worm, and a head on the escapementworm shaft to produce relative differential rotation of the dome and rider with respect to the base While the projectile is in flight.

11. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a base, a dome mounted thereon, an annular adjustable rider on the base and securing the dome to the base for rotary motion thereon, a pawl and ratchet connecting the dome and rider, a mainspring tendingl to rotate the dome and rider on the base, a springimpelled firing-pin in the base, a scar carried by the base, normally restraining the firingpin and normally restrained by the rider, the rider having an orifice to release the scar and permit the firing-pin to operate, locking-gearing between the base and dome, and means operative when the projectile is,in Hight to permit a relative rotary motion o'f the dome and rider with respect to the base.

12. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a spring-impelled firing-pin in the base, a radially-moving sear restraining said pin, and means controlled by the flight of the projectile for releasing said sear to permit the firing-pin to operate.

13. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a spring -irnpelled firingpin mounted longitudinally of the fuse-base, a centrifugal scar moving radially of said base and normally restraining said pin, and means controlled by the fiight of the projectile for releasing said sear to permit the firing-pin to operate.

14. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a sj'ning-impelled firing-pin mounted in a longitudinal recess in the fusebase, a sear mounted in a radial recess in said base and actuated by centrifugal force to release the firing-pin, an annular rider on the base to restrain the sear provided with an orilice to register with and release the seal', and means controlled by the Hight of the projectile to impart a relative differential rotation to said rider with respect to the base.

l5. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, comprising a spring impelled firing pin mounted in a longitudinal recess in the fusebase, a sear mounted in a radial recess in said 'base and actuated by centrifugal force to release the firing-pin, a safety-spring holding the sear 1n locking position, an annular rider IOO IIS

on the base to restrain the sear provided with an orifice to register With and release the sear, and means controlled by the flight of the projeetile to impart a relative diferential rotation to said rider with respect to the base.

16. A time-fuse for explosive projectiles, com prising a spring-impelled firing-pin in the base, a radially-moving sear restraining said pin, a Hight-controlled release for said sear,

and means for setting the release to determine IO the time of explosion.

In testimony whereof We aiix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN F. MEIGS. EMIL A. GATHMANN. Witnesses:

EDWIN A. MILLER, EARL G. RUSH. 

